The Autumn Wind's Song

The gavel's gone silent in Washington town The Speaker's chair's empty, a thorn in the crown They cast out McCarthy, a vote sharp and keen Now new hopefuls step into the turbulent scene A battle for power, a house in divide While the nation just watches the turning of tide. Oh, gather 'round people, and listen to me sing 'Bout the news of the autumn and what the winds bring It's a tale of the worker, the king, and the thief A story as old as a wind-shaken leaf The names on the page, they may flicker and fade But the song of the struggle is endlessly played.

Down Michigan way, where the engines all roar The UAW is walkin' right out of the door From Ford and from Stellantis, from old GM's line Their leader, Shawn Fain, is drawing a line For pensions and wages, a future more fair You can smell the contention all thick in the air. Oh, gather 'round people, and listen to me sing 'Bout the news of the autumn and what the winds bring It's a tale of the worker, the king, and the thief A story as old as a wind-shaken leaf The names on the page, they may flicker and fade But the song of the struggle is endlessly played.

In a New York courtroom, the bright lights all glare On a young man named Sam with a shock of wild hair They talk of FTX and the billions he spent A digital kingdom on promises bent From a penthouse palace to a witness stand's dread A story of fortunes, both living and dead. I've sung of the railroads, the dust bowl, the mills The barons of banking on top of their hills I've sung of the leaders who rise and who fall And I'm telling you, friends, I have seen through it all It's the same human heart, with its hope and its greed Just planting a slightly new-fangled seed.

Oh, gather 'round people, and listen to me sing 'Bout the news of the autumn and what the winds bring It's a tale of the worker, the king, and the thief A story as old as a wind-shaken leaf The names on the page, they may flicker and fade But the song of the struggle is endlessly played.